But the Minneapolis company’s performance fell short of Wall Street’s expectations. Its stock declined more than 2 percent in Wednesday premarket trading.

For the period ended Nov. 24, General Mills — whose brands include Cheerios, Yoplait and Betty Crocker — earned $549.9 million, or 84 cents per share. That compares with $541.6 million, or 82 cents per share, a year ago.

The latest quarter did not include Thanksgiving, while the prior-year period did.

Sales for the U.S. retail segment dipped 1 percent. Sales for the snacks, Small Planet Foods and Big G divisions increased, but sales for the segment’s remaining divisions dropped.

Sale for the international businesses rose 2 percent to $1.4 billion on increased sales in Canada, China and Latin America.

Shares of General Mills dropped $1.08, or 2.2 percent, to $48.50 in premarket trading about 75 minutes before the market opening.

General Mills Inc. maintained its outlook for 2014 adjusted earnings of $2.87 to $2.90 per share. The company said that foreign currency fluctuations are now expected to have a bigger impact than initially anticipated and that the potential devaluation of Venezuela’s currency would likely reduce its earnings per share to the low end of its guidance range.